# Asia’s Cleanest Village: Mawlynnong, India’s Pride End
Mawlynnong is a small and scenic village in the beautiful hills of Meghalaya, India, rightly termed “Asia’s Cleanest Village.” This achievement is not merely the consequence of government policies but is rather profoundly imbibed in the lifestyle and culture of the local Khasi tribe. Mawlynnong stands as a shining example of how a community-driven approach to hygiene and sustainability can transform a village into a global inspiration.
## A Tradition of Cleanliness Mawlynnong has long had a culture of cleanliness-it has been passed down through generations. The villagers take immense pride in maintaining their surroundings with every street, every house, and every pathway remaining spotless. In fact, all the residents from children to old men and women join in and carry on with these cleaning processes daily, not as an imposed rule but as a matter of collective responsibility.
## **Eco-Friendly Practices** The village completely adopts eco-friendly practices, setting a benchmark to live sustainably: – **Ban on Plastic**: There is an absolute ban on the use of plastic bags and bottles in Mawlynnong. Instead, biodegradable materials like bamboo and leaves are used. – **Organic Waste Management**: All organic wastes are collected in compost pits, reducing waste, thus avoiding landfill and providing natural manure for farming.
– **Rainwater Harvesting**: Innovative rainwater harvesting techniques are employed by the villagers to conserve water, ensuring sustainable usage.
## The Role of Women in Cleanliness Drive
Women of Mawlynnong contribute to the upholding of standards in the village regarding cleanliness. In the matrilineal Khasi society, women are involved in decision-making and conservation efforts related to the environment. Education, sanitation, and eco-tourism have made the village so successful in preserving its pristine environment.
## **Tourism and Its Impact**
As Asia’s cleanest village, Mawlynnong hosts thousands of tourists from all around the world. The village view is breathtakingly beautiful with its natural wonders like the **Living Root Bridges**, which consist of rubber trees’ roots that could be dated centuries long. Here, the **Sky View Tower** made of bamboo provides a panoramic view of Bangladesh plains.
While tourism has brought much-needed income to the village, the people of the village do not let it compromise their cleanliness culture. Visitors are required to follow very strict guidelines regarding waste disposal and respect the eco-friendly culture of the village.
## **Lessons from Mawlynnong**
Mawlynnong is an example that community involvement does pay off with the achievement of a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. It teaches people that cleanliness can be maintained only by the effort of each citizen, not solely by the government or authorities.
This small village’s success inspires the governments and urban planners of the world to follow similar approaches to community-led activities in their cities and towns.
Mawlynnong is more than a village, it is a philosophy, or the way of life that combines nature, cleanliness, and sustainability. In today’s environmental crisis, the village stands as a beacon of hope, showing that with everyone working together and as a solid community, it is possible to have a clean and green future in store.